CHILDREN OF GOD IN CHRIST

The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.Isaiah 11:8

In a sermon he preached from the text of Isaiah 11:10 in 1884, we recognize that Mr. Spurgeon was a Chiliast, believing in a historic post-tribulation, pre-millennial return of Christ. While he presents the eighth verse as being yet future, the gist of the entire sermon also recognizes the rest we currently enjoy as Christ’s church before His return. Our verse today is a blessed verse. Whether it is enjoyed in a future tomorrow, I know not (Jas 4:14); yet, I do know this portion does encourage Christ’s church for the here (hear) and now. Jesus Christ is the “branch” (v1), indicating He is from Nazareth, not that He is a “Nazirite” (Num 6:1-21). Different words in Hebrew. Jesus is on His Nazarite vow during His heavenly reign now. Therefore, the context of the verses also speaks of the church He has built during His heavenly reign. The newest Christian believer (nursing child), feeding upon the sincere milk of the Word (1 Pet 2:2), will be active and full of life in Christ (play) over the very abode of Satan and his principalities and powers because the gates of hell will not prevail against him or her (Matt 16:18). For they have tasted how gracious is the Lord Jesus (1 Pet 2:3), not only in saving them by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9), but also for protecting them from the wiles of the enemy (Luke 10:19). Those who are fed with the meat of the Word (1 Cor 3:2) are like the weaned child, who take up the full armor of God to do battle against the dark forces of Satan’s realm (Eph 6:10-18). He or she is like Bunyan’s pilgrim, who has receive armor after spending time in the Palace Beautiful. The nursing child, however, is protected from lions and such since Calvary’s Mount until he or she ascends the Hill Difficulty. The sojourn of God’s child in Christ is a blessed pilgrimage indeed.

The child in Christ is bless’d indeed,
Both newborn babe and weaned:
And both must cleave to Christ and heed
The Word we’ve heard and seen.

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Today's M'Cheyne Reading Schedule: 5/13 - Num 22; Psa 62-63; Isa 11-12; Jas 5

If you don’t have one, get a free PDF copy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s “Daily Bread” Bible Reading Calendar by Clicking Here.

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